Philippines to deport 168 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) – Indonesia is set to repatriate 168 nationals who where detained at a Manila airport last month after being caught with Philippine Hajj passports before boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia.

The foreign ministry's director of citizens and legal entities said in a statement sent to Anadolu Agency on Saturday that 168 of the 177 detained would return to Indonesia on Sunday after Philippines authorities cleared them for deportation Friday.

The remaining nine would remain for further investigation.

"The clearances given after various attempts were made by Indonesian Embassy, including providing supplementary guarantee letter," said Lalu Muhammad Iqbal.

As the recipient of the largest Hajj quota, Indonesia -- the world’s most populous Muslim country, with a population of around 256 million -- sends around 200,000 pilgrims to Mecca and Medina every year for the largest annual gathering of people in the world.

Each Indonesian pilgrim must pay a deposit of around $2,500 and there are currently more than 2 million Indonesians on the waiting list, prompting some to seek alternatives to registering for the Muslim pilgrimage from the archipelago.

Philippine officials confirmed earlier that the 177 arrested Aug. 19 were carrying genuine Philippine Hajj passports believed to have been acquired through “fraudulent means” in exchange for $6,000-10,000 each.

The Indonesian foreign ministry official said Saturday that the 168 would be accompanied by Indonesia's ambassador to the Philippines during their return.

According to the ministry, the 177 pilgrims came from various parts of Indonesia, with 100 of them hailing from South Sulawesi province -- where residents experience the longest Hajj queue of up to 32 years.

National police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar told Anadolu Agency that the pilgrims’ trip was facilitated by eight travel agencies in various regions of Indonesia.

As part of police investigations, a team of officers was sent to Manila and questioned related parties in the neighboring country. A total of 63 people were examined, including those employed in organizing travel for Hajj, alleged victims of such schemes in the capital and their families.

"At least, we will name suspects next week," said Amar.

Following the scandal, the Philippines suspended the issuing of Hajj passports to pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia pending the outcome of an investigation.